Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth, covered in ice and snow. Despite the harsh conditions, some incredible animals call this icy continent home. In this blog post, we’ll meet some of these hardy creatures, like the emperor penguin, the Weddell seal, and the Antarctic krill. These animals are experts at living in the cold, and they have fascinating ways to stay warm and find food. Let’s learn more about these amazing Antarctica animals and expand our English vocabulary together!
What are Antarctica Animals?
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and most isolated continent on Earth, characterized by its vast icy landscape. The animals that inhabit this extreme environment have evolved unique adaptations to survive. Most Antarctic animals rely on the rich marine life in the surrounding oceans for food, and they include a mix of mammals, birds, and aquatic species.
List of Antarctica Animals
- Emperor Penguin
- Adélie Penguin
- Leopard Seal
- Weddell Seal
- Antarctic Minke Whale
- Blue Whale
- Krill (numerous species)
- Snow Petrel
- Antarctic Petrel
- South Polar Skua
- Southern Elephant Seal
- Chinstrap Penguin
- Gentoo Penguin
- Antarctic Fur Seal
- Crabeater Seal
- Ross Seal
- Wandering Albatross
- Antarctic Tern
- Antarctic Prion
- Antarctic Shag
- Kelp Gull
- Antarctic Midges
- Wilson’s Storm Petrel
- Black-browed Albatross
- Light-mantled Albatross
- Macaroni Penguin
- Southern Royal Albatross
- Blue-eyed Shag
- Killer Whale (Orca)
- Antarctic Toothfish
- Icefish
- Silverfish
- Patagonian Toothfish
- Snowy Sheathbill
- Antarctic Silverfish
- Antarctic Krill
- Southern Fulmar
- Cape Petrel
- Southern Rockhopper Penguin
- King Penguin
- Dusky Dolphin
- Hourglass Dolphin
- Antarctic Minnow
- Antarctic Cod
- Sperm Whale
- Fin Whale
- Antarctic Squid
- Giant Petrel
- Commerson’s Dolphin
- Peale’s Dolphin
- Sei Whale
- Sooty Shearwater
- Antarctic Sponge
- Antarctic Coral
- Antarctic Starfish
- Glacial Squid
- White-chinned Petrel
- Dovekie
- Yellow-nosed Albatross
- Grey-headed Albatross
- Antarctic Tardigrade
- Antarctic Springtail
- Pale-faced Sheathbill
- Antarctic Octopus
- Antarctic Sea Urchin
- Antarctic Sea Spider
- Antarctic Scallop
- Antarctic Limpet
- Glass Sponge
- Antarctic Hair Grass
Explore More Animal Vocab:
Taiga Animals | Arctic Animals | Mountain Animals
Antarctica Animals Vocabulary and Their Facts
1. Emperor Penguin
The Emperor Penguin is Antarctica’s tallest and heaviest penguin, distinguished by its deep black and stark white plumage with bright yellow patches on its neck. They thrive in extreme cold, breeding on the sea ice during the harsh winter when temperatures drop below -50°C. Their unique breeding cycle involves males incubating the eggs, balancing them on their feet under a flap of skin, while females return to the sea to feed.
2. Antarctic Fur Seal
Antarctic Fur Seals are found on many sub-Antarctic islands but breed primarily on South Georgia. These seals have thick fur coats, and males develop mane-like neck fur. They feed mainly on krill and fish. Post-hunting era recovery is notable, with their population bouncing back from near-extinction in the 19th century to over a million today.
3. Wandering Albatross
Known for the largest wingspan of any bird, reaching up to 3.5 meters, the Wandering Albatross is a symbol of the Southern Ocean. These birds spend most of their life in flight over the ocean, landing only to breed. They mate for life and lay a single egg every two years. They feed on squid, fish, and krill, and are known to follow ships for scraps.
4. Leopard Seal
The Leopard Seal is one of Antarctica’s top predators, second only to the orca. Notable for their reptilian appearance and powerful bodies, they prey on fish, penguins, and even other seals. During the breeding season, they are solitary, coming ashore on isolated ice floes. Their haunting calls can be heard over great distances during the mating season.
5. Antarctic Krill
Antarctic Krill are small, shrimp-like creatures forming massive swarms in the Southern Ocean, which can extend for kilometers and are visible from space. They are a crucial part of the Antarctic food web, primarily eating phytoplankton. They are also harvested by humans for use in pharmaceuticals and as a dietary supplement.
6. Snow Petrel
One of only three birds that breed exclusively in Antarctica, the Snow Petrel is completely white with black eyes and a small black bill. It nests in colonies in rock crevices and feeds mostly on fish oil, squid, and crustaceans. Its ability to live up to 20 years in such a harsh environment is testament to its resilience.
7. Antarctic Minke Whale
The Antarctic Minke Whale is a small baleen whale, reaching up to 10 meters in length. They are usually seen alone or in small groups and are known for their curiosity towards boats. Their diet consists predominantly of krill and small fish. They are one of the primary targets of the scientific whaling program, which has sparked international controversy.
8. Blue-eyed Shag
Also known as the Antarctic Shag, the Blue-eyed Shag is a cormorant species found along the Antarctic Peninsula. They are distinguished by their blue orbital skin and orange throat patch. They nest in colonies on cliffs and feed on fish and invertebrates, diving up to 100 meters deep.
9. South Polar Skua
The South Polar Skua is a large seabird known for its aggressive nature, especially during the breeding season when it protects its nest vigorously. They are predominantly brown and feed by kleptoparasitism—stealing food from other birds, especially penguins. They also feed on eggs, chicks, and small mammals.
10. Antarctic Tern
The Antarctic Tern is a small bird with a distinctive forked tail and a sharp, red bill. During the Antarctic summer, they breed on ice-free surfaces and feed primarily on fish and krill. They are migratory, spending their winters in more temperate regions, as far north as South Africa and Australia.
11. Crabeater Seal
Despite its name, the Crabeater Seal primarily feeds on Antarctic krill, not crabs. They have specially adapted teeth that help them filter these small crustaceans out of the water. They are the most abundant seal species on earth, with a population in the millions. These seals are vital to the Antarctic ecosystem, influencing the distribution and abundance of krill.
12. Ross Seal
The Ross Seal is one of the least studied and most elusive of all seal species in Antarctica. Characterized by its short, rounded head and large, dark eyes, it is generally solitary and rarely seen away from dense pack ice. They feed on squid and fish, diving deep into the ocean to hunt.
13. Southern Elephant Seal
The Southern Elephant Seal is the largest of all seals, with males growing up to 6 meters long and weighing over 4,000 kilograms. These seals are named for their large size and the males’ prominent proboscis, which resembles an elephant’s trunk. They spend up to 80% of their lives in the ocean, diving deep to hunt for fish and squid.
14. Antarctic Midge
The Antarctic Midge is Antarctica’s only true terrestrial animal and the largest purely terrestrial animal on the continent, measuring just 2-6 mm in length. This wingless insect has adapted to survive extreme conditions by having antifreeze-like compounds in its body fluids, allowing it to withstand freezing temperatures.
15. Wilson’s Storm Petrel
Wilson’s Storm Petrel is one of the smallest seabirds breeding in Antarctica. They are known for their fluttering, bat-like flight and for hovering just above the ocean’s surface. They feed on plankton and small fish, often picking food items from the ocean surface while hovering or walking on water.
16. Chinstrap Penguin
Chinstrap Penguins are easily recognized by the narrow black band under their heads which looks like a helmet strap. They are among the most numerous penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands, with millions breeding there. They primarily feed on krill and small fish.
17. Adélie Penguin
The Adélie Penguin is one of the most southernly distributed of all penguins, inhabiting the coastlines of the Antarctic continent. They are distinguished by the white ring surrounding their eyes and the black feathers covering their heads. Their diet consists mostly of krill, though they also eat fish and squid.
18. Icefish
Unique to the Southern Ocean, Icefish have transparent blood and antifreeze proteins that prevent their bodies from freezing in sub-zero temperatures. These fish have evolved to lack hemoglobin, which is usually responsible for transporting oxygen in blood. They compensate for this with large gills and hearts that pump a significant volume of blood.
19. Antarctic Toothfish
The Antarctic Toothfish is a large, predatory fish that plays a significant role in the marine food web of the Southern Ocean. They can grow up to 2 meters in length and live in waters as cold as -2°C. Their body contains “antifreeze” glycoproteins to prevent ice crystal formation in their blood.
20. Kerguelen Tern
The Kerguelen Tern is a rare seabird found in the Antarctic. They breed in small numbers on the Kerguelen Islands and are known for their long-distance migratory patterns. Their diet mainly consists of fish and small marine invertebrates, which they catch by diving into the water from flight.
21. Antarctic Silverfish
The Antarctic Silverfish is a key species in the Southern Ocean ecosystem, serving as a major food source for various predators including whales, seals, and penguins. These small fish are characterized by their silver body, high fat content, and the absence of scales. They play a critical role in recycling nutrients within their habitat.
22. Weddell Seal
The Weddell Seal has the southernmost distribution of any mammal, with a population estimated at over 800,000. They are excellent divers, capable of reaching depths of over 600 meters and can stay underwater for more than an hour. They primarily feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans.
23. Glacial Squid
The Glacial Squid is a small, translucent squid found in the icy waters around Antarctica. It is an important prey species for a variety of larger predators, including whales, seals, and large fish. Despite its small size, it plays a significant role in the Antarctic food web.
24. Antarctic Petrel
The Antarctic Petrel is a medium-sized seabird with a brown and white body and long wings. It nests on high ice shelves and feeds on krill and small fish. During the breeding season, it forms large colonies on the Antarctic Plateau, where it is less susceptible to predators.
25. Black-browed Albatross
The Black-browed Albatross is known for its distinctive eyebrow-like markings above its eyes. They breed on islands in the Southern Ocean and are highly efficient flyers, capable of traveling thousands of kilometers in search of food. Their diet primarily consists of squid, fish, and krill.
26. Antarctic Prion
The Antarctic Prion, a small seabird, has a body adapted for skim-feeding, with a unique bill structure that helps it filter small zooplankton from the water. They are common around the Southern Ocean and are known for their large flocks, which can number in the thousands during feeding.
27. Macaroni Penguin
The Macaroni Penguin is distinguished by its vibrant yellow crest feathers and red-brown bill. It is one of the most numerous penguin species, with an estimated population of over 18 million. They feed primarily on krill and small fish and are known for their loud, raucous calls.
28. Southern Giant Petrel
The Southern Giant Petrel is known for its large size and aggressive scavenging behavior. It has a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters and a highly variable plumage ranging from light grey to almost black. They feed on carrion, fish, and squid, often following fishing vessels for scraps.
29. Antarctic Sponges
Antarctic Sponges are a diverse group of organisms that play a crucial role in the benthic ecosystems of the Southern Ocean. They are known for their longevity, with some specimens estimated to be over 1,000 years old. These sponges filter large volumes of sea water, trapping bacteria and tiny particles of organic matter.
30. Antarctic Starfish
Antarctic Starfish are found on the seabed around Antarctica and come in various shapes and colors. They are important predators in the benthic community, feeding on invertebrates such as clams and mussels. Their ability to withstand the freezing temperatures and high pressures of the deep sea is a remarkable example of adaptation.